An open and just environment
Staff should know that they are expected to 'do the right thing' even if that challenges the status quo. They should feel able to talk about, reflect on and challenge current practices without fear of personal repercussion. Organisations should adopt a non-punitive, learning approach to errors, and should instigate reflective mechanisms such as peer review. Staff need to be encouraged to use ‘trial and error’ and to experiment − without creating inappropriate risk for patients − with new ideas and ways of working.
Related publications
Enabling compassionate care in acute hospital settings
In December 2008 we published a review paper to launch the programme, Seeing the Person in the Patient, which drew on available published research.
Leadership and engagement for improvement in the NHS: together we can
This report makes the case for engaging staff, patients and boards, and for building relationships across systems of care.
Hospital Pathways programme: lessons learned
We describe the Hospital Pathways programme, the method used to evaluate it, what we learned about the approach, and how the lessons have influenced the Patient and Family-centred Care programme.
Related blogs
We need to talk about frail older patients
Drawing on experience from our Point of Care programme, Jocelyn Cornwell explores the options to improving the poor results on care shown in the CQC report.
Are we expecting too much from the Care Quality Commission?
A Public Accounts Committee report has highlighted the challenges the CQC has faced since it was set up. But are we expecting too much from a quality regulator?
Related audio-slideshow
Lessons learnt from Mid Staffordshire
Sir Stephen Moss, Chair of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, talks about the lessons learnt from the experiences at Mid Staffs.